Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 28, 2007

Metro, Equal Rights Center reach settlement in class action lawsuit

All registered MetroAccess customers will receive 10 free rides as part of a $2.2 million settlement in a class action lawsuit against MetroAccess, the paratransit service for people with disabilities.

The lawsuit, which was filed in 2004, alleged that Metro had violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide adequate service to customers with disabilities. Although Metro maintained that its service met the requirements of the law, the transit agency adopted a new paratransit contract and implemented a broad array of enhancements to the program after an intensive review by the Metro Board and an outside committee, which included people with disabilities.

Metro is also implementing contract changes to enhance service by increasing the paratransit budget by $4 million a year over a three-year period.

“We thank the Equal Rights Center and the plaintiffs for helping us identify ways in which our service could be improved for the benefit of our MetroAccess riders,” said John Catoe, Metro General Manager. “Continued litigation was not a solution. We put our customers first. I believe this result is a positive outcome for all concerned.”

The settlement includes hiring consultants to assist in ongoing oversight of MetroAccess performance.

As part of the settlement, Metro agreed to pay the Equal Rights Center, individual plaintiffs and other MetroAccess users $2.2 million for damages and attorney’s fees to settle their claims. In addition to each registered rider getting 10 free rides, each of the 14 customers named in the class action suit will receive $5,000; the Equal Rights Center will receive $65,000; those who were deposed will receive $1,000; and the balance will go toward attorney’s fees.

The settlement agreement has been made in principle and must be finalized by the parties involved. It is subject to court approval.

News release issued at 12:00 am, June 28, 2007.